I gave up alcohol when I was 22 years old because I was assigned to work with kids in a drug program. I was the only candidate who could pass a drug test. It didn't take long to discover that the number one drug of abuse among the kids was alcohol. And I drank a lot. I gave up drinking in order to show the kids it was possible to to deal with adversity and have a social life without alcohol.
Best. Decision. Ever.
Sometimes I cook with wine, but neither hubs nor I drink alcohol. Life has been so much easier. Notice I didn't say easy. Just easier than the complications caused by boozing. Considering that we both come from long lines of heavy drinkers, I think we saved ourselves a lifetime of misery.
Similar history, different reason. As I got older, even 1/2 a drink would upset my sleep. Lack of good sleep was the final straw. Not that I ever drank much.
As I understand it, much of the physiological damage from alcohol consumption is from the coincidence of poorer sleep quality or sleep deprivation in heavy drinkers.
Ugh. I made a promise to God that I was going to greatly reduce my alcohol intake when Kamala was elected. Fuck that shit. Now I drink whatever the fuck I want. Sorry for the F-bombs, E. Jean!!
On Jan 7th at 11am PST I got in the car with my sister driving, two precious terriers in the back seat and a cat in its carrier on my lap and we headed north to escape the flames 🔥 of the Palisades fire. I rarely drink - have not been inebriated for decades- but the glass of white wine over ice calmed my bloodstream and my mind.
My perspective has been and remains: everything in moderation.
And work for a world where climate change does not decimate your city and your nerves.
Being born and raised in California, and leaving after the last straw, Northridge quake, came to Las Vegas. I still have family in So California, and my sister in El Dorado Hills, California a suburb in No California.
I had/have friends in Altadena and Pasadena. If course I can't get in touch with them right now. One couple in particular, whom I've known since we were in high school, I am anxious to hear from. My apartment is small, but they could come here and stay with me until they rebuild.
Hopefully they get in touch soon. They may have gone to Arizona where their daughter lives. I sure hope so. From what I've seen there's little hope their house is still standing.
I'll be thinking of you, your sister and your pets.
I'm so sorry. Nobody can understand that level of fear unless they live it. I can feel for you though, but likely not know truly what you are going through.
I have an irrational fear of fire. I have no idea how I would react.
My sister and I just found a one-bedroom while we rebuild - the apartment accepts our two terriers and 3 cats - very grateful and thanks very much for asking
I'm so glad you found a place. That's amazing. You can recuperate for awhile. Words aren't enough to imagine what you have gone through. I just went through two hurricanes and had minor flooding in my house and it is nothing compared to what you have gone through. A large part of my neighborhood is uninhabitable. It is eerie. I wish you the best and I'm glad you have your sister and your animals with you. Please take care of yourself.
Oh, bless all of you! I’m so glad you took the critters with you. Hope for the best on your return. I have family and friends there. Worried to distraction.
Thanks Ellen: these latest winds are forecast to be gone by Wednesday afternoon; hoping you are in contact with your loved ones and this hellscape will end
Thank you. I believe my now relatives are out of the area and are okay, except I haven’t yet heard from my stepson and his wife. They live north of us in California. I haven’t heard them yet since Christmas. I believe, I hope, they are in Japan by now to visit his wife’s family. I am very worried about them, but I’m holding on, as they were getting ready to go after Christmas.
Wow! I can’t even begin to imagine what it’s like to experience this level of devastation. The important thing is that you , your sister, terriers and cat are all safe. I’m a firm believer in doing what you need to to take care of yourself. If that involves alcohol, go for it! Sending lots of good vibes your way!
So sorry you have the fires, Nancy. I cannot even imagine the horror of it.
I, too, only drink in moderation. My sister's sorrow killed her because she couldn't stop drinking. Her birthday and anniversary are this month. We miss her so. She was zany, sweet and loving.
It was easier to drink when I was younger, no big deal. Now, I think about my brain, OMG; I've seen people's brains stop working who were ever so smart. Most of them drank a lot. Some got alcohol dementia. It's very sad to see. I am still sorting it out.
Love you, E. Jean! However, am concerned that some readers may misinterpret your comment that “Moderate drinking (one drink a day) caused just 0.6 cancer deaths in 2023.”
To make that more clear, I’ll give Ronald Bailey’s full quote: “moderate drinking contributed to 3,400 deaths last year, amounting to just 0.6 percent of all cancer deaths.”
“Just.”
If you loved one or more of the 3,400 people who died last year of cancer caused by moderate drinking, you might well resent the word “just.”
I'm wondering how they possibly know the cancer was caused by truly moderate drinking since there are so many things that cause cancer - various plastics, dyes, air that we breathe, etc. Not arguing just sincerely wondering.
FWIW, there are well-validated methodologies for epidemiological studies to tease out those sorts of factors in identifying the causes of what are called “excess deaths,” deaths which do not correlate with other factors in play in the entire population studied.
I love a good glass of wine or a relaxing Aperol spritz while people watching I think the mass media is again blowing the truth out of proportion Moderate drinking isn’t going to kill you but the next four years without an escape hatch might🤣
I used to drink A LOT. I knew I had a problem. I stopped and have been sober for over five years. I started working out in September though. That's helping me tremendously with this bullshit. I want to thank you again for writing your book What Do We Need Men For? Damn, I so needed to read that. I felt 92 percent better after reading it. THANK YOU for standing up to that baby brat.
I’m stripped down and naked as we go through another DT presidency. One year ago I gave up alcohol by choice so I can be clearer as I age. I use breath work to help calm myself plus, exercise, nature and prayer. It’s helped me be a better woman.♥️ It’s not easy but I’m feeling so much better.
I only just discovered pisco sours over the holidays when my sister’s Chilean boyfriend made them for us. As I have to make up for lost time, I think it would be unwise to give up alcohol now.
I like a drink from time to time. Living in absolutes feels more divisive for me. So though I may be thoughtful about choosing when, where and with whom to drink, I may choose a wonderful cocktail or wine with dinner upon occasion
One of the first questions my oncologist asks when I go for my check ups is how much do you drink? I never knew there was a correlation between alcohol and breast cancer. But then again, I do not drink hardly at all. A glass of wine or two when I have friends over every 6 weeks. Then there's my father who smoked Camel Cigarrettes, drank vodka martinis for at lunch during the madmen years, had a heart attack in 2009 and just turned 90 years old on Dec 10th. His brain is great, he uses a cane at times but he is still sharp as a tack. He stopped smoking 7 years ago and rarely drinks. Then there's my mom who rarely ever drank, perhaps a glass of white wine at Christmas Dinner and occasionally had a cigarrete with her neighbor for night time coffee clatch and she has Dementia! So, I have come to the conclusion that as long as you aren't drinking a bottle of wine or hard liquor every day and smoking a carton of cigarettes a week your good. Life is a crap shoot. Look at Christopher Reeves wife Dana Reeves....never smoked, lived healthy, was an opera singer and died OF LUNG CANCER!
Nothing makes sense any more. I think our bodies are so individually complex it is impossible to say what will kill us. No one gets off of Earth alive. If having a glass of wine with dinner makes this hell fest go quicker and smoother then cheers!
"I think our bodies are so individually complex it is impossible to say what will kill us. No one gets off of Earth alive. If having a glass of wine with dinner makes this hell fest go quicker and smoother then cheers!"
I gave up alcohol when I was 22 years old because I was assigned to work with kids in a drug program. I was the only candidate who could pass a drug test. It didn't take long to discover that the number one drug of abuse among the kids was alcohol. And I drank a lot. I gave up drinking in order to show the kids it was possible to to deal with adversity and have a social life without alcohol.
Best. Decision. Ever.
Sometimes I cook with wine, but neither hubs nor I drink alcohol. Life has been so much easier. Notice I didn't say easy. Just easier than the complications caused by boozing. Considering that we both come from long lines of heavy drinkers, I think we saved ourselves a lifetime of misery.
Wise and well done, Gayle!
Similar history, different reason. As I got older, even 1/2 a drink would upset my sleep. Lack of good sleep was the final straw. Not that I ever drank much.
As I understand it, much of the physiological damage from alcohol consumption is from the coincidence of poorer sleep quality or sleep deprivation in heavy drinkers.
Awesome.
Well done Gayle.
Over the years, we've had a ridiculous amount of sober fun and wild sex with no regrets or hangovers. Could not ask for me!
Ugh. I made a promise to God that I was going to greatly reduce my alcohol intake when Kamala was elected. Fuck that shit. Now I drink whatever the fuck I want. Sorry for the F-bombs, E. Jean!!
We NEEDED the F-Bombs with this one, Lorraine!
I helps 😆
You're my new best friend! 🍺🍻🥂🍾🍷🥃🍸🍹
On Jan 7th at 11am PST I got in the car with my sister driving, two precious terriers in the back seat and a cat in its carrier on my lap and we headed north to escape the flames 🔥 of the Palisades fire. I rarely drink - have not been inebriated for decades- but the glass of white wine over ice calmed my bloodstream and my mind.
My perspective has been and remains: everything in moderation.
And work for a world where climate change does not decimate your city and your nerves.
Nancy! May the gods CONTINUE keep you, your sister and your terriers safe!! And yes, we have work to do changing climate laws!
Oh Nancy...My heart goes out to you. Thank goodness you are safe and so are your babies. These Los Angeles Fires are terrifying.
Thanks Jennifer - “the big one” in California folklore always seemed to be a tremendous earthquake - it is fire; thanks again
Your comment made me cry.
Being born and raised in California, and leaving after the last straw, Northridge quake, came to Las Vegas. I still have family in So California, and my sister in El Dorado Hills, California a suburb in No California.
I had/have friends in Altadena and Pasadena. If course I can't get in touch with them right now. One couple in particular, whom I've known since we were in high school, I am anxious to hear from. My apartment is small, but they could come here and stay with me until they rebuild.
Hopefully they get in touch soon. They may have gone to Arizona where their daughter lives. I sure hope so. From what I've seen there's little hope their house is still standing.
I'll be thinking of you, your sister and your pets.
I'm so sorry. Nobody can understand that level of fear unless they live it. I can feel for you though, but likely not know truly what you are going through.
I have an irrational fear of fire. I have no idea how I would react.
Bless you.
My sister and I just found a one-bedroom while we rebuild - the apartment accepts our two terriers and 3 cats - very grateful and thanks very much for asking
I'm so glad you found a place. That's amazing. You can recuperate for awhile. Words aren't enough to imagine what you have gone through. I just went through two hurricanes and had minor flooding in my house and it is nothing compared to what you have gone through. A large part of my neighborhood is uninhabitable. It is eerie. I wish you the best and I'm glad you have your sister and your animals with you. Please take care of yourself.
Fear of fire is not irrational! I was in Ventura for the Northridge quake. It was quite scary from that distance. I hope LV has been good to you!
Thanks Julie: one day at a time
Thanks for reading and your truly wonderful words🎼☕️🩵🙏💜💙☮️
Oh, bless all of you! I’m so glad you took the critters with you. Hope for the best on your return. I have family and friends there. Worried to distraction.
Thanks Ellen: these latest winds are forecast to be gone by Wednesday afternoon; hoping you are in contact with your loved ones and this hellscape will end
Me too.
Thanks Reine for reading: hoping you are in contact with your beloveds
Thank you. I believe my now relatives are out of the area and are okay, except I haven’t yet heard from my stepson and his wife. They live north of us in California. I haven’t heard them yet since Christmas. I believe, I hope, they are in Japan by now to visit his wife’s family. I am very worried about them, but I’m holding on, as they were getting ready to go after Christmas.
I hope you will all be reunited and thanks for your concern - I hope we all get through this
Thank you.
I can’t imagine Nancy. I’m glad you are safe.
Thanks Julie - we need to take care of each other
My heart is with you!
Thanks - and mine with yours
I hope for the best for you, Nancy. So sorry you and your family are in this horrendous disaster.
Thanks Sandie - let’s draw on each other’s strength
Thanks very much and thanks for reading
Wow! I can’t even begin to imagine what it’s like to experience this level of devastation. The important thing is that you , your sister, terriers and cat are all safe. I’m a firm believer in doing what you need to to take care of yourself. If that involves alcohol, go for it! Sending lots of good vibes your way!
So sorry you have the fires, Nancy. I cannot even imagine the horror of it.
I, too, only drink in moderation. My sister's sorrow killed her because she couldn't stop drinking. Her birthday and anniversary are this month. We miss her so. She was zany, sweet and loving.
It was easier to drink when I was younger, no big deal. Now, I think about my brain, OMG; I've seen people's brains stop working who were ever so smart. Most of them drank a lot. Some got alcohol dementia. It's very sad to see. I am still sorting it out.
I will need to drink more with trump in office..... Cheers
This is a concern....
I usually don't drink because it gives me heartburn, but I think by the end of the next four years I'll have to join AA.
We can get a group rate by then…
Authoritarians Anonymous?
Definitely not ambiguous assholes
Many of us will need to go to AA right along with you!
Yes. Will remain a drinker, a smoker, and a midnight toker. I ain't no quitter!
that's funny,
Is it from a song? Either way, I like it.
It is from a song, The Joker by the Steve Miller band.
Different for different people.
I enjoy wine and spirits. I won’t give them up.
But my husband once said to me:
“You often walk away from a half full glass of wine. No one in my family would ever do that.”
Perhaps this is a succinct definition of that difference.
Now that I don’t do. If I’m going to have one, I’m drinking the Whole thing.
Love you, E. Jean! However, am concerned that some readers may misinterpret your comment that “Moderate drinking (one drink a day) caused just 0.6 cancer deaths in 2023.”
To make that more clear, I’ll give Ronald Bailey’s full quote: “moderate drinking contributed to 3,400 deaths last year, amounting to just 0.6 percent of all cancer deaths.”
“Just.”
If you loved one or more of the 3,400 people who died last year of cancer caused by moderate drinking, you might well resent the word “just.”
Thank you for this chance to explain that stat!
Thank you, indeed, Bill! You put that quote into painful PERSPECTIVE for us!
I'm wondering how they possibly know the cancer was caused by truly moderate drinking since there are so many things that cause cancer - various plastics, dyes, air that we breathe, etc. Not arguing just sincerely wondering.
Me too, Susan!
I have been asking the same question. (But haven't yet made any effort to find out the answer!)
FWIW, there are well-validated methodologies for epidemiological studies to tease out those sorts of factors in identifying the causes of what are called “excess deaths,” deaths which do not correlate with other factors in play in the entire population studied.
I love a good glass of wine or a relaxing Aperol spritz while people watching I think the mass media is again blowing the truth out of proportion Moderate drinking isn’t going to kill you but the next four years without an escape hatch might🤣
I used to drink A LOT. I knew I had a problem. I stopped and have been sober for over five years. I started working out in September though. That's helping me tremendously with this bullshit. I want to thank you again for writing your book What Do We Need Men For? Damn, I so needed to read that. I felt 92 percent better after reading it. THANK YOU for standing up to that baby brat.
Rebecca! How wonderful to hear that! Thank you!
I loved and miss Lewis.
Loved that book. Did a little review because the stories made me laugh plus I want a ride in Miss Bingley with E. Jean and and Lewis Carroll!
I’m stripped down and naked as we go through another DT presidency. One year ago I gave up alcohol by choice so I can be clearer as I age. I use breath work to help calm myself plus, exercise, nature and prayer. It’s helped me be a better woman.♥️ It’s not easy but I’m feeling so much better.
My father, the prominent psychiatrist and author of The Fear of Success had a favorite saying that fits this situation perfectly:
"Life is a sexually transmitted condition with a fatal outcome."
- Leon Tec
Absolute the smartest, most astute statement I have read!
I liked your father's book, Roland.
I only just discovered pisco sours over the holidays when my sister’s Chilean boyfriend made them for us. As I have to make up for lost time, I think it would be unwise to give up alcohol now.
I like a drink from time to time. Living in absolutes feels more divisive for me. So though I may be thoughtful about choosing when, where and with whom to drink, I may choose a wonderful cocktail or wine with dinner upon occasion
Yes. Wine is fine.
One of the first questions my oncologist asks when I go for my check ups is how much do you drink? I never knew there was a correlation between alcohol and breast cancer. But then again, I do not drink hardly at all. A glass of wine or two when I have friends over every 6 weeks. Then there's my father who smoked Camel Cigarrettes, drank vodka martinis for at lunch during the madmen years, had a heart attack in 2009 and just turned 90 years old on Dec 10th. His brain is great, he uses a cane at times but he is still sharp as a tack. He stopped smoking 7 years ago and rarely drinks. Then there's my mom who rarely ever drank, perhaps a glass of white wine at Christmas Dinner and occasionally had a cigarrete with her neighbor for night time coffee clatch and she has Dementia! So, I have come to the conclusion that as long as you aren't drinking a bottle of wine or hard liquor every day and smoking a carton of cigarettes a week your good. Life is a crap shoot. Look at Christopher Reeves wife Dana Reeves....never smoked, lived healthy, was an opera singer and died OF LUNG CANCER!
Nothing makes sense any more. I think our bodies are so individually complex it is impossible to say what will kill us. No one gets off of Earth alive. If having a glass of wine with dinner makes this hell fest go quicker and smoother then cheers!
YES!
HERE IT IS:
YOU SAID IT, JEN!
"I think our bodies are so individually complex it is impossible to say what will kill us. No one gets off of Earth alive. If having a glass of wine with dinner makes this hell fest go quicker and smoother then cheers!"
BRILLIANT!!!
💖🥂💖🤗🤗🤗